Stronger Now

Official release date: January 31st, 2020
* Read The Official Press Release
* Download The Official Press Release
Carol Albert delivers a stunning 10 song Album. Produced by Paul Brown, Lew Laing and Carol Albert.
Featuring: Paul Brown (guitar), Dan Baraszu (guitar), Lil John Roberts (drums), Jay Williams (drums), Sam Sims (bass), Ragan Whiteside (flute), Magdalena Chovancova (sax), Joseph Patrick Moore (bass) and many other talented musicians. 
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Healing is a process and there is no substitute for time. As we move through each phase, we grow stronger. Carol Albert has been very open about her recovery from the unexpected loss of her husband in 2014, letting go on the soul-soothing album “Fly Away Butterfly.” On the cover of “Stronger Now,” we see that Carol’s radiant smile has returned. The delicate, gossamer wings of a butterfly have evolved into powerful, feathery wings, mighty and capable of fending for herself while gracefully soaring to new heights. And that is exactly what the award-winning composer, pianist, keyboardist and vocalist does on “Stronger Now,” which she produced with two-time GRAMMY® winner Paul Brown and Lew Laing.

Reviews & Quotes

“One of the most enchanting things about Carol’s music is her sweet vocal work… as you listen to “I Am Fine”, you’ll realize (right away) why I say that… the song will inspire you, no matter how low you may feel.”
​Dick Metcalf c/o Contemporary Fusion Reviews
“A Solid set of girl friend instrumental music with some skilled hands at the wheel, the pianist delivers the goods quite nicely…”
Chris Spector c/o Midwest Record

"Albert evinces a sense of cool that makes her approach to jazz modern and unique. While the entire album is worth listening to, the first few songs are so cool that listeners who are new to Albert and those who have heard her work before will be amazed enough to listen to those first songs again. That the musician makes a good impression goes without saying.”
Dodie Miller-Gould c/o LemonWire.com

Official "Stronger Now" Merch

Physical CD
Official "Stronger Now" T-Shirt
CD & T-Shirt Bundle

Track Listing:

1. Stronger Now (3:43)
2. Love Again (4:03)
3. Perfect Sunday (4:03)
4. For The Moment (4:24)
5. Femme Flight (album version) (4:25)
6. Winter Rain (5:31)
7. Sun's Out (album version) (3:55)
8. I Am Fine (4:39)
9. Moon On The Water (4:23)
10. 'Til We Meet Again (5:27)

Musicians:

Carol Albert - Piano, Keyboards, Programming, Vocals, Co-Producer
Paul Brown - Guitar, Percussion, Co-Producer
Lew Laing - Programming, Additional Synths, Co-Producer
Ben Babylon - String, French Horn Arrangements
Sam Sims - Bass
Lil John Roberts - Drums, Percussion
Lee Thornberg - Horn Arrangement, Flugal & Valve Trombone
Joseph Patrick Moore - Bass
Jay Williams - Drums
Curtis McCain - Percussion
Ragan Whiteside - Flute
Magdalena Chovancova - Sax
Nathaniel Kearney - Bass
Dennis Johnson - Drum Programming
Roberto Vally - Bass
Gordon Campbell - Drums
Dan Baraszu - Acoustic Guitar
Raheem Amlani - Electric Guitar

Photos From the Recording sessions

ALBUM CREDITS:

Produced by Carol Albert, Paul Brown. Additional Production Lew Laing
All Songs Written and Arranged by Carol Albert CAHARA Music, ASCAP. Copyright CAHARA LLC, 2020
1) STRONGER NOW
Carol Albert - Piano
Lew Laing - Programming, Arrangement
Paul Brown - Produced and Mixed at The Funky Joint, CA
2) LOVE AGAIN
Carol Albert - Piano, Vocals, Keyboards, Programming
Ben Babylon – String, French Horn Arrangements
Paul Brown - Guitar, Percussion
Sam Sims – Bass
Lil John Roberts – Drums, Percussion
Piano Recorded & Engineered by Thom (TK) Kidd, Silent Sound Studio, Atlanta GA
Engineering Drums, Guitars – Raheem Amlani, Orange Peel Studio, Georgia
Produced and Mixed - Paul Brown, The Funky Joint, CA
3) PERFECT SUNDAY
Carol Albert – Piano, Keys, Programming, Arrangement, Percussion
Paul Brown – Guitar, Percussion
Lee Thornberg – Horn Arrangement, Flugal & Valve Trombone
Sam Sims - Bass
Lil John Roberts - Drums
Piano Recorded at Silent Sound Studio, Atlanta GA
Engineered by Thom (TK) Kidd
Engineering Drums, Guitars – Raheem Amlani , Orange Peel Studio, Kennesaw GA
Produced and Mixed - Paul Brown, The Funky Joint, CA
4) FOR THE MOMENT
Carol Albert – Piano, Keys, Synths, MIDI Programming
Paul Brown – Guitar
Joseph Patrick Moore – Bass
Jay Williams – Drums
Curtis McCain - Percussion
Mixed - Paul Brown The Funky Joint, CA
Produced & Arranged - Carol Albert
5) FEMME FLIGHT
Carol Albert Piano, Vocals, Keys, MIDI programming
​Ragan Whiteside - Flute
Magdalena Chovancova - Saxophone
Bass - Nathaniel Kearney
Drums - Jay Williams
Percussion - Curtis McCain
Mixed - Paul Brown, The Funky Joint, CA
Engineering Piano Recording Thom (TK) Kidd, Silent Sound Studios, Atlanta, GA
Engineering Vocals & Flute Dennis Johnson, The Uppa Room South, GA
MIDI programming Carol Albert
Produced, Written, Arranged: Carol Albert
6) WINTER RAIN
Carol Albert – Piano, Keys, Engineering MIDI programming Saxophone Sample, Strings, Bass
Dennis Johnson – Additional Drum Programming
Lew Laing- Additional synths, Drum Programming
Mixed: Lew Laing
Produced by Carol Albert & Lew Laing
7) SUN’S OUT
Carol Albert – Piano, Vocals, Synths, Midi Programming Paul Brown – Guitar, Percussion
Roberto Vally – Bass
Gordon Campbell – Drums
Produced, Mixed: Paul Brown, The Funky Joint, CA
8) I AM FINE
Carol Albert – Piano, Vocals, Synths, Midi Programming Paul Brown – Guitar
Roberto Vally – Bass
Gordon Campbell – Drums
Piano Recorded & Engineered Carmen Grillo ,
Produced, Mixed- Paul Brown, The Funky Joint, CA
9) MOON ON THE WATER
Carol Albert – Piano, Strings
Joseph Patrick Moore - Upright Bass
Engineering Piano Recording Thom (TK) Kidd, Silent Sound Studios, Atlanta, GA Mixed - Thom TK Kidd
Produced - Carol Albert
10) ‘TIL WE MEET AGAIN
Carol Albert – Piano, Vocals, Keys, MIDI programming Daniel Baraszu – Acoustic Guitar
Raheem Amlani – Electric Guitar
Joseph Patrick Moore - Bass
Lil John Roberts - Drums
Engineering Drums, Guitars – Raheem Amlani, Orange Peel Studio, Kennesaw
Engineering Drums, Guitars – Raheem Amlani, Orange Peel Studio, Kennesaw GA
Mixed - Lew Laing
Produced – Carol Albert & Lew Laing

liner notes:

"Stronger Now"

Setting her emotional journey to music, Albert wrote “Stronger Now,” intimately journaling her period of refortification. Throughout the ten-song set, Albert summons the courage to again feel joy, love and laughter balanced with healthy periods of reflection, solitude and introspection. 
​        
Opening with the triumphant title track, Albert’s lush piano melodies sound robust, resonant and resilient as they leap from the base of Laing’s shuffling electronic rhythms and sturdy drum constructs.

"Love Again"

The lyrical piano melody for “Love Again” came to Albert in a dream. It’s a rousing awakening as she blossoms in love, utilizing lustrous wordless vocalization to illumine the rejoicing chorus.

"Perfect Sunday"

“Perfect Sunday” emits an impeccable sense of being, a frothy Latin jazz cruise exquisitely rendered with the aid of Brown’s spirited acoustic guitar. Lee Thornberg’s quixotic horns provide vibrant color, pageantry and depth.

"For The Moment"

Rebounding from loss is often fraught with challenges and setbacks. Living moment to moment is a helpful outlook to have in order to avoid being overwhelmed by the process. Albert’s evocative piano exhibits being fully present in the here and now on “For The Moment.” It’s a subtle shift in consciousness echoed by Brown’s electric guitar.

"Femme Flight"

Albert impassioned piano merges forces with flutist Ragan Whiteside and saxophonist Magdalena Chovancova on “Femme Flight,” an empowering Latin jazz fusion foray. Wordless vocals add fuel to the melodic motor rocketing the female-powered departure to freedom. Albert’s inspiration comes from enduring and having regained the strength to fully express being free and her exuberant love of life. 

"Winter Rain & Sun's Out"

“Winter Rain” captures one of Albert’s somber moods as her contemplative piano splashes amidst shadows of strings and a haunting sax sample. She doesn’t wallow in the dark ethereal storm for long. Glorious light bursts forth on “Sun’s Out,” renewing, replenishing and revitalizing.

"I Am Fine"

The scars from losing a soulmate never heal completely, but somehow, recovery takes place and we press on. Albert’s celestial voice comforts and reassures over and over again like a mantra on “I Am Fine.” Brown’s sensitive acoustic guitar reinforces the affirmation as Albert moves forward. 

"Moon On The Water"

She finds peace within on “Moon On The Water,” a stunning piece of piano poetry. The artist recognizes the simplicity and complexity of her life and gives voice to it with astute piano runs that cleverly pay homage to classical music and reference her earlier New Age recordings.

"Til We Meet Again"

With assistance from Daniel Baraszu’s eloquent acoustic guitar, Albert closes the chapter on this period of her life and welcomes the next on “‘Til We Meet Again,” an assured conclusion laced with confidence and brimful of hope.
​
One thing about life and love that is certain is that loss is inherently part of the equation. It’s how we face and overcome those losses along with our ability to learn, to adapt, to live and to love again that determines the richness of our life. Are we willing to risk being vulnerable again in order to fully experience life and love? Carol Albert has reemerged with an open heart and a pair of wings that seem to grow stronger with every new chapter.

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